MULTI-FUNCTION CLEANOUT PLUG AND METHOD OF USE
A multi-function cleanout plug and check valve for basements or other enclosed areas housing sewer cleanout plugs. An automatic drain discharge and check valve assembly housed entirely in the previously used cleanout plugs, used in sewer or other drainage systems is provided. In the event of water or other liquid accumulation due to bad weather, water line break, electrical outage, sump pump failure etc. a check valve built into a clean-out plug acts as an automatic drain through the sewer line while preventing back flow of unwanted liquid or sewer gasses.
The present invention relates to providing automatic drainage of basements or other enclosed areas.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONCleanout plugs which are opened and closed manually have long been used in the plumbing industry to prevent sewer gasses from getting into buildings while permitting access for cleaning out clogged drain lines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONOne or more embodiments of the present invention relate to providing automatic drainage of basements or other enclosed areas. In at least one embodiment a sewer cleanout plug is provided for floor drains in basements or other enclosed areas. According to at least one embodiment of the present invention in the presence of water or other liquid accumulation, a check valve built into a cleanout plug permits automatic drainage through a sewer line while preventing back flow of liquid or unwanted gasses. One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a multi-function drain cleanout plug and check valve which is designed to replace prior art cleanout plugs.
One or more embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus which may include a first device and a second device. The first device may be configured to attach to a pipe inlet of a pipe. The second device may be configured to allow water to flow through the first device when a threshold of water pressure is exceeded and wherein the second device is configured to prevent water from flowing through the first device when the threshold of water pressure is not exceeded. The first device may be connected to the second device.
The first device may have a handle, knob, or grip portion and an exterior threaded portion. The exterior threaded portion may be configured to be screwed into interior threads of the pipe inlet in order to attach the first device to the pipe inlet. The handle device may have one or more openings into which water can flow. The second device may include a plunger and a spring. In one or more embodiments, when the threshold of water pressure is exceeded, the plunger causes the spring to be compressed which allows water to flow through the first device, through the pipe inlet, and into the pipe. In one or more embodiments, when the threshold of water pressure is not exceeded, the plunger makes contact with a portion of the first device to provide a seal so that water cannot pass through the first device.
The second device may include a holder which is attached to the first device and which holds the plunger and the spring to the first device. The plunger may include a stem portion which is substantially surrounded by the spring.
In at least one embodiment a method is provided which includes attaching a first device to a second device, and attaching the first device to a pipe inlet of a pipe. The second device is configured to allow water to flow through the first device, through the pipe inlet and into the pipe, when a threshold of water pressure is exceeded and the second device is configured to prevent water from flowing through the first device when the threshold of water pressure is not exceeded.
The apparatus 100 includes cap, plug, or first device 110, plunger 120, spring 130, and holder 140 as shown by
The plunger 120 includes a disk portion 122 fixed to a stem portion 124, as shown in
The holder 140 includes an annular wall or ring 142, supports or brackets 144a, 144b, 144c, and 144d, and a top member or disk 146 as shown by
In
The apparatus 100 may be considered to be a floor drain cleanout plug and check valve assembly. The apparatus 100 allows for automatic draining of liquids from a draining surface, such as drainage hole or basin 300 into an in-ground drain conduit, such as pipe 200, which may be a sewer line or may be connected to a sewer line. The spring 130 may be a stainless steel spring.
In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the rim 121 of the plunger 120 and the ridge 114e of the cap 110 may form a seal to prevent backflow of gases from the drain conduit or pipe 200 after liquid or water 302 has drained out of the basin 300 and into the pipe conduit 200. The plunger 120 may be substantially rigid.
Although the invention has been described by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to include within this patent all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of the present invention's contribution to the art.
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a first device which is configured to attach to a pipe inlet of a pipe; and
- a second device which is configured to allow water to flow through the first device when a threshold of water pressure is exceeded and wherein the second device is configured to prevent water from flowing through the first device when the threshold of water pressure is not exceeded; and
- wherein the first device is connected to the second device.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein
- the first device has a handle portion and an exterior threaded portion;
- wherein the pipe inlet has interior threads;
- and wherein the exterior threaded portion is configured to be screwed into the interior threads of the pipe inlet in order to attach the first device to the pipe inlet.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein
- the handle device has a first opening.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein
- the second device includes a plunger and a spring;
- wherein when the threshold of water pressure is exceeded, the plunger causes the spring to be compressed which allows water to flow through the first device, through the pipe inlet, and into the pipe; and
- wherein when the threshold of water pressure is not exceeded, the plunger makes contact with a portion of the first device to provide a seal so that water cannot pass through the first device.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein
- the second device includes a holder which is attached to the first device and which holds the plunger and the spring to the first device.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein
- the plunger includes a stem portion which is substantially surrounded by the spring.
7. A method comprising
- attaching a first device to a second device;
- attaching the first device to a pipe inlet of a pipe; and
- wherein the second device is configured to allow water to flow through the first device, through the pipe inlet and into the pipe, when a threshold of water pressure is exceeded and wherein the second device is configured to prevent water from flowing through the first device when the threshold of water pressure is not exceeded.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein
- the first device has a handle portion and an exterior threaded portion;
- wherein the pipe inlet has interior threads;
- and wherein attaching the first device to the pipe inlet includes screwing exterior threaded portion of the first device into the interior threads of the pipe inlet in order to attach the first device to the pipe inlet.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein
- the handle device has a first opening.
10. The method of claim 7 wherein
- the second device includes a plunger and a spring;
- wherein when the threshold of water pressure is exceeded, the plunger causes the spring to be compressed which allows water to flow through the first device; and
- wherein when the threshold of water pressure is not exceeded, the plunger makes contact with a portion of the first device to provide a seal so that water cannot pass through the first device.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein
- the second device includes a holder which is attached to the first device and which connects the plunger and the spring to the first device.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein
- the plunger includes a stem portion which is substantially surrounded by the spring.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 10, 2009
Publication Date: Feb 10, 2011
Inventor: Ladislau Biro (Metuchen, NJ)
Application Number: 12/538,411
International Classification: F16L 45/00 (20060101); E03B 1/00 (20060101);